Father, into Your hands I commend my Spirit

Image from http://365rosaries.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-23-2013-seven-last-words.html

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

Everything might have just ended with the words "It is finished". But no. Jesus said these strong words, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit".

He knew that His task is completed and that everything has been restored. But, these words carry faith with it because this time, He allowed God to work now through Him to show everyone of His Divine Nature that even death cannot contain Him.

In our daily lives, we are given tasks wherein in the middle of it we experience hardships, or sometimes fall on a dead end. Have we lifted ourselves and our tasks to God saying, "Father, into Your hands, I commend this task to You", or do we just keep it to ourselves?

Brothers and sisters, even if Jesus is God, He showed us in a human way how it is to lift up your concerns to God and to have faith in Him. What we have to do is to anticipate joyfully for our mini "Easter" where God will save us and create something new to is.

The hardships are done now. We wait for Christ's resurrection...

Mission Accomplished

Source: http://www.charismaministries.org/it-is-finished-or-is-it/

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. (John 19:30)

A friend of mine posted this status in Skype:

Don't strive to make your presence noticed. Live to make your absence felt.

When I read this, I pondered and reflected these words  until it made me realize that the saints did this in their own simple way.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta gave her life in uplifting the lives of the people in India.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is just like your ordinary teenager, but has loved the poor by giving what he has in order to uplift their current situation.

And these are some of the saints who have left a mark on the hearts of their loved ones and the people whom they have helped. In the words of Saint John Bosco, by "doing [their] ordinary duties extraordinarily well", they have lived a life where they have fulfilled their main purpose in life: To live a life in service and love of God.

And this is what Jesus did during His ministry. He healed the sick, expelled demons and preached the Gospel of truth every where. Thus with boldness He said, "It is finished".

How have we lived our lives lately? Are we confident to say to God at the end of our lives, "It is finished"?

Brothers and sisters, the true meaning of life is service to God and His people. And once that is done, you have lived a life to make your absence felt.

Take the Plunge

14" x 22" print of original oil and canvas painting by Filipino artist Joey Velasco (2007)

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” (John 19:28)

What does it mean to be thirsty?

If we can still remember in our Biology subjects, to be thirsty means that the water supply in our bodies are running low and it needs to be replenished. Whenever we are thirsty, our nerves send signals in our brain that we need water. And Jesus did experience this as He hung on the cross. His brain has been receiving mixed signals from loss of water, exhaustion, pain of the nails and also blood loss.

But the words "I thirst" gives a lot more meaning that just a physical aspect.

Jesus is thirsty of our love to Him.

In the Divine Mercy Novena, Jesus revealed to Saint Faustina some of the people He is thirsty of and wants to be plunged in the ocean of His mercy. Some of these people are the priests and religious, the devout souls, the souls of children, and the souls of purgatory.

But among all the groups of people whom Jesus described to Saint Faustina, there is one group which holds so much care and affection, and He would really want to bring close to His heart: The sinners and the lukewarm people. In my previous blog, I shared that we sometimes shout and cry to God saying "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" But most of the time, we forget that God has never forsaken us -- we are the ones who have forsaken Him. And now, Jesus reminds us that

I have not forsaken you. I am just here. I thirst so much of your love which you give to other things that never bring permanent refreshment. Remember, my child, the Samaritan woman whom I said that I am the water that refreshes and will refresh your soul.

Come to me and I will refresh you ever more, and you will never be thirsty again.

Jesus now presents us with the ocean of mercy. Are you ready to take the plunge?

The Dark Night of the Soul

Image from
http://dominicjallen.com/2013/09/22/did-jesus-doubt-god-the-father-on-the-cross/

And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

Does Our Lord Jesus forsake us? No.

Then why did our Lord say these words? Has God really forsaken Him, His Only Begotten Son? No. What Jesus has done is that He showed us that everyone, even the holiest of people, feels the sense of abandonment and that He is one with us even during these times.

Saint John of the Cross has described this as the "Dark Night of the Soul", and this is experienced by everyone -- you, me -- and all the saints, even Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. But this dark night is more than just a "dark night". According to Phyllis Zagano and Kevin Gillespie in their article "Mother Teresa's Dark Night", they said that it involves two major phases: (1) The Dark Night of Senses and Spirituality; and (2) The Loss of God. And "[s]ouls invited into Dark Night, he wrote, realize they just can’t pray anymore. [And] Not only does prayer cease, but those experiencing Dark Night lose the joy of the spiritual journey." (Zagano and Gillespie, 2014)

But how were the saints able to get past it? How were they able to become victorious?

Simple solution but requires a lot: holding on to their commitment to serve and love Jesus Christ until the very end.

Jesus does this in order to see how much we love Him and how much we seek Him daily. He hides himself from us in order to purify our intentions and our souls as to how we see Him as our Lord and Savior.

And this is how Jesus showed it through the cross. He showed us that despite the sufferings that we are experiencing, despite the dryness in our spiritual life, GOD IS THERE PRESENT.

Let us continue to seek Him no matter what happens.

Let us continue to adore His greatness and works.

Let us continue to love Him until the very end.

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Source: "Mother Teresa's Dark Night" BY: PHYLLIS ZAGANO AND C. KEVIN GILLESPIE

A mother's love...a mother's care

Image from http://www.gci.org/jesus/women

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home." (John 19: 26-27)

My first encounter with the prayer "Memorare" was years ago when I was praying the rosary. And as I prayed, I was struck by the first few lines of the prayer:

Remember, O most gracious virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

And it is true, and thus was the purpose of Our Lord Jesus when He gave His mother to St. John the Evangelist and eventually to us. He extended her role as not only being the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God, but also as the Mother of all nations.

Many times in my life when I personally felt Mary's hand guiding to Jesus and also protecting me when I am in trouble. It is during these times when I cry out to her like a baby, "Mama Mary, help us!" And she will be the first to rescue me where she will send people in order to protect us. Often times, she will send and touch the hearts of people in order to guide us to the right path. She clears the way to see clearly God's plan in our lives especially during the times when I was so confused as to where I am going.

Mother Mary is there. She's there ready and willing to help bring us closer to Jesus. She is always there to help, guide and assist us. She is there with arms wide open to welcome us home and to lead us back to Jesus.

Remember, O most gracious virgin Mary, that never was it know that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

A Reflection of Saint Dimas

Painting from https://catholicismpure.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/the-repentant-thief/

"Amen I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Many don't know this (or may have not noticed) that the first saint ever cannonized was Saint Dimas (or sometimes called as Saint Dismas).

Yes! The repentant thief is a saint who was personally cannonized by Jesus Himself whose feast day is on March 25 (however, since the Feast of the Annunciation falls on the same day, the Church takes this as top priority).

Although we only have the verse above to describe who Saint Dimas is, there is a well-known tradition that even before they met during the crucifixion, they already met when they were still children.

According to the tradition, he was a leprous child who grew up with a band of robbers. It was during this time that Mary and Joseph were fleeing Nazareth and on their way to Egypt when the Holy Family encountered this band of robbers. Instead of robbing them, they felt a sense of compassion that they were asked to stay in their tent for the night. The leader (who was Saint Dimas' father) noticed that the Holy Child could heal their leprous child, asked his wife to ask Mary if they could bathe their son in the same water which Mary used to bathe Jesus. So, as soon as she placed him in the same water Jesus used, he was healed.

After thirty-three years, they met again bathing. This time, not bathing in water but bathing in blood of Christ's mercy. That is why for me, there is a special place for Saint Dimas in this Passion sequence.

What makes him special?

Simple. He said,

"Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23: 40-42).

He saw himself extremely worthy of death for the crime he committed.

He was completely sorry for everything that he has done and has completely resolved himself not to sin again.

He knew that he has sinned and has made a complete repentance in front of Jesus whom he recognizes as the one who can forgive his sins. That is why he looked on him and said, "I'm sorry Lord! Please remember me when you come into your kingdom."

How many times have we been rightfully sorry for all the sins that we have committed? Have we resolved ourselves to come before Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and say to Him, "I'm sorry Lord for all that I've been doing to you, for hurting you because of my favorite sins"?

It is time to come back to Him and repent.

It is time ask for repentance from Christ and not be like the other thief who mocks Him.

It is time to be like Saint Dimas.

Let us ask for the intercession of Saint Dimas this Holy Week that we may be repentant of our sins and bring us closer to the waters of Christ's mercy as we pray the Prayer to Saint Dimas:

Glorious Saint Dismas, you alone of all the great Penitent Saints were directly canonized by Christ Himself; you were assured of a place in Heaven with Him "this day" because of the sincere confession of your sins to Him in the tribunal of Calvary and your true sorrow for them as you hung beside Him in that open confessional; you who by the direct sword thrust of your love and repentance did open the Heart of Jesus in mercy and forgiveness even before the centurion's spear tore it asunder; you whose face was closer to that of Jesus in His last agony, to offer Him a word of comfort, closer even than that of His Beloved Mother, Mary; you who knew so well how to pray, teach me the words to say to Him to gain pardon and the grace of perseverance; and you who are so close to Him now in Heaven, as you were during His last moments on earth, pray to Him for me that I shall never again desert Him, but that at the close of my life I may hear from Him the words He addressed to you: "This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." Amen.

Forgiveness when the people we love hurt us

Crucifixion as seen from the cross by James Tissot

"Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23: 34)
How does it feel when the people that we loved and cared for persecute us?

How does it feel when we help people out of our good intentions turn things around and say bad things to us?

This is what Jesus felt after being nailed to the cross and slowly being lifted up. He sees the people from the crowd whom He has touched just staring at Him and doing nothing. He hears them shouting and mocking him for every good act that He has done. His heart is slowly being broken into two because all of the effort He did and all of the miracles He has done to reveal to Israel that He is the one sent by God meant nothing to them.

He has given His entire love to everyone and has been seeking the lost sheep from afar to bring them back and to reveal to everyone that He is the Son of God who has come to restore everything to Himself and to free them from sin. But in the end, they have crucified the one who has loved them first -- we have crucified the one who has loved us first.

But how does it take for someone to easily forgive those people, especially for those whom we have done good to?

We've encountered this in many situations. Sometimes at work, sometimes with our friends and sometimes with those who are very much close to us. And at times, we would love to give them a taste of hell by seeking revenge on them.

But what will it bring us? Will we be able to sleep soundly at night?

Probably. But how about our soul?

The Prophet Jeremiah has clearly showed how it should be done.

Yes, I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail, and take our revenge on him." 

But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. LORD of hosts, you test the just, you see mind and heart, Let me see the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause.

Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the evildoers! (Jer. 20: 10-13)

I remember one time when I was in the same situation. I was completely raging in anger that I've been thinking of what to do to him to make him pay. But the Lord came to me in my prayer and said these words:

Never lay your hand on him. Revenge and justice is mine. All you need to do is to pray for him.

This is what Jesus did when He hung on the cross. He could have when down and slapped everyone.

But no.

In His humility and love for entire mankind, He lifted all of the sins committed to Him to the Father and asking to forgive them for not recognizing Him as His Only Beloved Son.

Lift everything to the Lord and live with love, even if the people whom we love hurt us.